Lady Aurelia And Battaash Set For Titanic Nunthorpe Stakes Clash

Friday 25th August 2017, 3.35pm - Nunthorpe Stakes (York)

It has already been a terrific week on the Knavesmire but things ramp up a notch on Friday as we get ready to take in the Nunthorpe Stakes. The Group 1 5f clash is always one of the highlights of the summer, but that is even more the case this week with one of the best sprinting fields in recent memory taking their chance.

Margot Did is the last 3YO to win the Nunthorpe Stakes back in 2011

Friday 25th August - 3.35pm

Odds

Won/Lost

Bet

Nunthorpe Stakes

Tips

Marsha each way
Best Bet

@ 10 / 1

Lady Aurelia v Battaash A Mouthwatering Clash

Every now and then, racing throws up a famous clash and we have one in the Nunthorpe this season with Lady Aurelia and Battaash set to clash in a race that many are expecting to be a classic.

Lady Aurelia burnt up Royal Ascot last time out to win the King's Stand Stakes for American trainer Wesley Ward, and she really is a speed machine. She has now won at Royal Ascot in each of the past two seasons, and her King's Stand win does make her the one to beat, especially with an age and sex allowance in her favour.

The slight worry for Lady Aurelia fans is thew way she fell away in the 2nd half of last season, and punter backing her will be praying she has held her form from that blistering win last time out. The daughter of Scat Daddy appears to be the quickest in the field though, and as such is the right favourite at 6/4 with Sky Bet.

Also three, Battaash appears to be improving for every run for Charlie Hills, with his win in the King George Stakes at Goodwood last time out a sensational one. It was his third win on the bounce for the son of Dark Angel, and although he is yet to be tested at York, he is clearly a class act at 15/8 with Paddy Power.

Each Way Contenders?

The top two in the betting are certainly the ones to beat but this is a deep field, and we cannot rule out a bigger priced horse entering the mix.

Profitable (16/1) has finished 10th and 6th in the last two Nunthorpe's for Godolphin and he has been better than ever this season with three very solid runs. He was three lengths behind Lady Aurelia in the King's Stand, and just over two lengths behind Battaash at Goodwood, which means he has every chance of running well.

Elsewhere, Marsha is of interest as another sprinter who has been mixing it at the top table this term, and deserves respect as a result. She was 3rd in the King's Stand and the King George so does have form to find with the top two and Profitable but she is a winner at York , which is key, and at 10/1 with Coral, she is certainly an each-way price.

Conclusion

This could well prove to be one of the best races of the entire season and of the top two, it is Lady Aurelia who perhaps makes most appeal given a few pounds in her favour. Neither of the top two are betting prospects though which means it is Marsha who is the each-way play as a former York winner and class act in her own right.